Ghaeles n



(Model.)

C. N. WEST. Galvano Belt.

No. 234,379. Patented Nov. 9,1880.

NPETEHS. FHOTOL|THOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D C,

Nrra Samaras aran'r trice.

CHARLES N. WEST, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOltNlA.

GALVANIC BELT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,379, dated November 9, 1880.

Application ilcdApiil15,1SBO. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES N'. Wus'r, of the city and county of' San Francisco, in the State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Therapeutical Belts; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference bei n g had to the accom pau ying drawings.y

My invention has reference to that class of electric belts for therapeutieal purposes in which a number of elements, each of which is composed of two plates ot' dissimilar metal separated by a layer of fibrous material, are linked together so as to form a belt that will pass around the body of a person and generA ate an electric current when the fibrous filling is moistened. It also relates to certain improvements in appendages for connecting the belt With certain organs of the human body, by means of which the electric current is conducted from the belt and applied to those organs.

My first improvement relates to the construction and arrangement of the individual elements of the belt and the manner ot' linking or connecting them together.

My second improvement relates to the form and arrangement of the conductor for applying the electric current to the generative organs, all as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved belt. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, in detail, of several elements or plates composing the belt. Fig. Sis an edge view of one of the elements.

In constructing the elements of which the belt is composed I employ two corresponding plates, a. b, which may he made of similar or dissimilar metals. I prefer to stamp out these plates in an oval form, as shown; but they can be made ofauydesired shape. The edges of these plates I turn up so as to form a rim, c, around each plate. One of these plates (the one marked b, for instance) is the one which goes inside next to the body, and this I will call the inner plate,77 and c I will call the outer plate.77

When the inner and outer plates are made of dissimilar metals-copper and zinc, for instance-they form the two plates of a pile or battery; but when they are made of the same metal the inner plate forms one of the plates of the pile or battery, while the outer plate serves merely as a case to hold in place a wearingplate, d, which forms the other active plate of the pile or battery, as will be more fully described farther on. Even when the outer plate is made of dissimilar metal it can be used as a case, as above described. In that case no insulation will be required between it and the nearing-plate.

'Ihe inner plate, I), has a stud, c, projecting from it at the middle ot' each end, the body of which is insulated. On the outer end of one of these studs is a permanent head, j', and on the outer end of the other is a button or loose head, g.

The outer plate, a, has a notch, h, cut in each end, so that when t-he iibrous filling lis placed in the inner plate the outer plate can be secured over it by causing the notch in one end to stride the stud c, which has the permanent head, while the notch in its opposite end fits down over the button-headed stud, after which the button can be turned so as to fasten the plate c in place and secure it to the plate b,th us con tining the fibrous layer between them.

The head f and button g, I prefer to make of gutta-percha or vulcanized rubber, which are fastened or held to the plate b by studs e.

If the plates a b are made 0f dissimilar metals, this completes the battery 0r pile, and simply provides an element of' the belt which can be readily taken apart to be cleaned and put together again but by my invent-ion I make the two plates of similar or dissimilar metals and apply a coating of varnish or other nonconducting substance, or by soldering them together. I then place a disk or piece of dissimilar metal, l', upon the iibrons tillin g l before securing the outer plate over it, thus providing a wearing-plate, d, upon which the corrosive action will take place, and which can be removed and cleaned when desired.

Usually I shall make the plates a and b of copper and the chemical plate of zinc, and this latter plate I will amalgamate, in order to facilitate the cleaning of the plate and increase the action of the battery.

rIhis arrangement is very advantageous in an electric belt, because it enables the elements IOO shown.

to be taken apart and cleaned, when desired, and readily put together again. The chemical plate prevents the outer pla-te from corroding, so that the belt will always retain a neat and cleanly appearance.

In order to lighten the belt and enhance its appearance, I perfora-te or punch out round or other shaped holes in the outer plate, a, as These perforations also serve to more perfectly saturate the brous filling when the beltis dipped in an acid solution. Ordinarily, however, the wearer will prefer to take the elements apart and moisten each filling separately, as that method will avoid damping or soiling the clothing when the belt is being worn.

To connect the elements together I solder one end of an open ring, j, to the edge of the inner plate near each end, and this ring I pass through a hole in the rim of the opposite outer plate, cutting` away a small portion at o from the edge ofthe outer plate, to prevent the ring from coming in contact with it. The ring is then closed upon the plate, to which it is soldered. The elements are thus connected throughout the length ot' the belt, the connection ot' the plates being alternate, in the usual way.

By turning the rims ot' the plates up, as hereiuhefore described, I provide greater strength and a larger bearing-surface for the rings, which renders the belt more durable. By this construction and arrangement I avoid overlapping the edges ot the inner and outer plate of each element, and am able to get a larger number of elements with the saine surface in a given length of belt.

In order to conduct the electric current generated by this connected series of elements to the genitals, I connect a wire or metallic chain, p, with the negative end of the belt. The opposite end ot' this chain connects with an electrcanagnet, q, which is coiled so as to surround the penis of the wearer, while an extension, 1^, of the chain connects with a U-shaped electromagnet, V, which passes partly around the scrotum.

The electro-magnet q is a bar ot' soft iron bent to the desired form and surrounded by a small copper wire wound spirally. One end ot' this coil or helix is connected with the chain p, while the opposite end is connected by a wire or chain with the negative pole ot' the belt.

This construction of an element in a galvanc battery constituting a therapeu tical belt is very advantageous for the following reasons-viz., because it admits of taking the elements apart, rapidly cleaning the plates, and ot' replacing them without any trouble and in a short time.

These advantages, together with the chemical plate which can be used in this construction, admit of the perfect amalgamation of these plates, not admissible except in this construction, as the mercury disintegrates the metal and rendersitbri ttle and unt by-its weakened strength to bear the strain when used both as positive or corrosive plate and outside or case ot an element. It also increases the power of the battery, prevents a decrease of the current, and secures a constant ilow of the electric fluid, approximating to the features of a constant battery; and, further, this construction admits ot' duplicating the chemical or corroding plates when they are injured or consumed by use, and thus preserving the belt unmarred in form and undiminishablein electrical power for many years, as the oxide or sulphate of zinc formed on the positive plate can be removed and the polarity of the negative plate prevented.

I also saturate the felt between the plates with a solution composed ot'chlorohydric acid, or any other acid, and coal-oil, or any of the hydrocarbons. By thus saturating the felt I give to it permanent exciting properties on the metals which it separates, and by this means I also give to my battery the properties of a dry pile as well as an ordinary galvanic battery, as it will continue au action in the battery for months, or it' I wish to renew I only have to dip the felt into water or coal-oil.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. rIhe plate l), provided with the studs c c, one ot' which has a permanent head,f, while the other has a but-ton or loose head, g, in combination with the plate a, with its notches h, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In an electric belt, the independent chemical plate Z, held in place against tlie fibrous filling l between the separable plates a b, substantially in the manner specified.

3. rIhe method ot` rendering ythe fibrous filling in galvanic batteries permanently exciting, consisting in saturating the filling with a hydrocarbon and acid solution, substantially as specified.

4. In combination with an electric belt, the plates or disks a b, connected with the belt by wire p, so as to apply the electric current to different parts ot' the body, for the purpose specilied.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

CHARLES N. WEST.

fitnessesz EDWARD E. OsBoRN, WM. F. CLARK.

IOS 

